Mexico expresses ‘concerns’ over new US asylum plan: Reuters

U.S. and Mexican officials are discussing a new refugee program for non-Mexican asylum seekers waiting in Mexico, part of President Joe Biden’s push to open more legal channels for immigration, four sources said.

The program is open to refugees Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in Mexico, sources cited. One of the sources revealed that migrants must prove they were in Mexico before June 6 to qualify for the program.

The sources, a US official, a Mexican official and two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the issue was still under discussion. No final decision has been made. It is not clear how many people will benefit from the scheme.

Millions of migrants from those four countries make their way to the U.S. through Mexico during recent years of political and economic turmoil, straining the two countries’ resources and putting political pressure on Biden, a Democrat seeking re-election. 2024.

The plan being discussed would allow immigrants who qualify for refugee status to enter through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program, which is available only to applicants from overseas, the sources said.

Unlike most immigrants who apply for asylum after entering the United States, refugees receive Immediate job recognition and benefits From the government such as housing and job assistance.

Refugees using the US resettlement program can apply to become permanent residents within a year, offering more stability than other options. To be recognized, they must show that they are being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, a particular social group or political opinion.

The Mexican Foreign Ministry said it continues to maintain contact with the United States to expand labor mobility and refugee protection, and promised to discuss various programs and policies that always protect national sovereignty.

However, Mexico has not reached any agreement with the United States, the Foreign Ministry said.

As part of a broader strategy to crack down on illegal crossings of the US-Mexico border, the Biden administration has opened up new ways for migrants to enter the US.

Immigrants waiting in Mexico can apply to enter the U.S. through a smartphone app and then claim asylum, but Application slots fill up quickly.

Under another Biden plan, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans can apply to enter the U.S. by air. American supporters.

But those routes do not offer the same benefits as refugees or a direct path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship.

In April, the Biden administration set a goal of admitting 40,000 refugees from Latin America and the Caribbean in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, doubling the previous goal. As of May 31, around 3,400 have arrived, showing that much momentum is needed to reach the target.

Some refugee advocates worry that the focus on Latin America will slow the processing of refugees from other parts of the world, including those already awaiting approval.

A “priority two” refugee program similar to the one opening for Afghans in 2021 will be discussed, the sources said. Such programs allow certain groups to apply for refugee status directly without a United Nations referral. Countries.

Although debates Mexico has significant concernsMexican official said.

The official explained that if the program encourages more migrants to enter Mexico, it could strain the country’s already limited resources to deal with the migrants.

One of Mexico’s main concerns is where the migrants will be processed, the official says.

The plan would work if the U.S. used existing diplomatic facilities, but any The new US center in Mexico will be politically tense for this purposeOfficer maintained.

Pending decisions will require the participation of Mexico’s next foreign minister, Alicia Barcena, who has yet to be confirmed for the position, the official said.

Reuters. Ted Hessen in Washington and Dave Graham in Mexico City. Additional reporting by Tina Beth Salomon in Mexico City and Christina Cook in San Francisco.